New Guy Here!

[RQ 1]

Hello all and Happy New Year!

I discovered this place by way of DVinfo.net and Jerome. Hope that is his name. :)

Anyhow, I was hoping anyone could help me out with preparing for a wedding this saturday using one camera!.

I will be using my Sony A1u, a wireless mic set up and a basic tripod. I plan to wire the groom and stay "hot" with the camera moving from one place to another when I can and without causing a distraction. While stationary I will zoom in and out and gather varous crowd broll as I can. I will end up with a edited hightlight version with all important audio intact and you know all the neccesary "Bells and Whistles" :dance1:

This is a one man gig since I am flying out to Dallas for a friend and I want to capture the best for him and his bride. Is there anything I should be mindful of or any suggestion any of you might want to share. Camera postions so on and so forth!

Thank you in advance!
Rick Q.

[JC/DV]

Hey Rick, and welcome to WVP! I wouldn't do any moving around with a one camera shoot unless its going to be a short form edit and you know when you want to move/not have footage in it. Just setup shop at the end of a pew near the aisle. Good closeups, aisle action, and such.... just my 2 cents. Good luck!

[bmitchell]

Welcome.

Why not put a stationary cam in the back to cover your moves?

[Bonsai]

Welcome to WVP.

My suggestion would be the same as Bill's (BMitchell) but I'm wondering if bringing 2 cameras with you is out of the question, because you are going to Dallas for this?

[RQ 1]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

And yes the challenge is only being able to take and man one videocamera. I know I can flow with the bride and groom prep but it is the ceremony part I have not experienced with using only one camera. I like the idea of being locked down near the end of isle.

Thanks for the insight!

Rick Q.

[Earl]

I stage shots of the parents sitting, guests, other cutaways, etc. prior to the ceremony, giving me shots to go to when I have to move on a one camera gig. If you get the flowers, closeups of the candles, and other elements inside, you have options to cover your moves. Do, as you intend, keep the cam rolling for audio continuity.

[RQ 1]

This is what I love about a good and genuine online forum community. Thank you all! I know from past experience what not to do and know it will all be OK in the end result but sometimes you just need a little ENCOURAGEMENT from complete strangers. Err, I hope that sounded right :grinning-smiley-021

I feel prepped and ready to go but one last thing that has been nagging my pocketbook. Could there be a benefit to maybe picking up a monopod for this event? I like the idea of mobility and having a smaller footprint but would this be overkill?

Thoughts are appreciated,

Rick Q.

[sheilaorsi]

Welcome to WVP.. where the fun never ends... ERR.....

I ALWAYS use a monopod during the ceremony... but ... I also have a second camera running too... that said-
I could NOT live without my monopod... overkill??? ..NO WAY! ...

and some fold up really tiny - so it shouldnt be a big deal to fit in your suitcase! .. let us know how it works out tomorrow!

Sheila

[RQ 1]

Thank you Shiela...good insight.

I am pumped and think I am ready to go.

Other than checking a bag with my homemade stabelizer(http://dvcamerarigs.com/), tripod and possible monopod. I plan to carry on my a1u and wireless mic unit. I have carried on my camera many times in the past but don't know if the wireless unit will cause a fuss.

Anyone know if this is OK to carry on a short flight.

ALso, last night I spent about 2 hours shopping for something decent to wear. :icon_cool:. I opted for black dockers pant and some very comfortable black dockers shoes. I will add a nice short sleeve button down from home with pockets for added accesories. I had to laugh when I thought to myself...I don't think there has ever been a forum thread on what to wear while working a wedding or event. I guess it is standard...look clean and blend it!

Happy Friday!

Rick Q.

[Daniel Runyon]

Greets Rick!

I did one cam shoots for my first few weddings, and I shoot ALL of my weddings as if they are one cams just in case my second cam shot doesn't work as well as I had planned (any number of reasons... the angle just didn't work right or my occasional second shooter moves when I move or whatever).

If you were looking at the wedding from the back of the church you would see me up front behind the couple and off to the right side... pretty much in the area behind the line of groomsmen with my cam able to clearly see the bride's face.

I personally like to use a tripod for the entire ceremony so my shots are consistently steady and angled, and I try to keep camera movement and zooms minimal, smooth and slow. I generally only move the camera in slow, smooth pans during long speaking portions, going back and forth between the speaker, the couple and the guests.

I like to zoom VERY slowly and smoothly into different framings of the couple during the ceremony, showing mostly a fairly close shot that includes both of them from their chests up, and sometimes going in for a closeup on their faces or holding hands when the moment calls for it.

For me, the most important things are consistent framing and unbroken smoothness.

If you move your cam much you'll be adding editing headaches to deal with later!

That's just me though... everyone has their own way and their own style of finished product... may The Force be with you!

[RQ 1]

Well I survived my trip to Garland, Texas. :eusa_clap:
Had a great time, ate some good food and oh..yeah! Videotaped a wedding.

Well I must say the Sony A1u was a challenge for the most part but I think I managed to capture the essence of the evening. Low light setting and lack of rapid response focusing were my only gripes but nonetheless a major thorn in the side.

I am working on the web highlight and will post as soon as it is completed.

And OH, BTW I made in good with the photographer and he loaned me his Bogen monopod for about 20 minutes...I am hooked! :grinning-smiley-021

And thank you all who helped me prepare for this thing in advance. I never felt so prepped before a wedding. And I tip my hat to all of you for all that you do ...shooting weddings is no easy task and there is alot to say for being prepared for any situation.

After about 5 weddings in about 4 years I still say it is a neat thing to document one of the most important days of a couples life.

Best Regards all!

Rick Q.
:eclipsee_gold_cup:

[JC/DV]

Glad you made it through ok... The A1U should be ok under most circumstances. Play with the camera more and get used to the manual settings and use them properly. Unless you are shooting a candle lit ceremony it should perform ok for you. Use a small light for dark receptions if needed. I make my HC1s work well using the manual settings and knowing the camera.... regardless of what many say about them being inferior....

anyways, can't wait to see your highlights!

[Doug Puckett]

like Jerome said: Its time to see highlights!!

and congratulations on getting the first one under your belt!!

and also welcome to the community

[RQ 1]

Once again thank you all for being such a creative support to me and others here. I hope I did not discourage any by taking so long to get this done. Guess that is why I don't do this for a living 100%...er, um...yet. :icon_cool:

Here is is and please share your thoughts.
http://davidandlilly.blogspot.com/

stuff used:
sony A1u
sony w-30 digital camera
Cartoni tripod
fcp
blipt.tv
blogger

Best regards!

Rick Q.

[Maureen]

The fast moving editing was a great way to hide the unsteady camera movements.

[Bonsai]

Hi Rick

I liked most of what I saw. The scenes you put together to make the highlight were right on. Nice transitions, good music. I have to say, I wasn't crazy about the rose petals, but that's minor (and a matter of personal taste.) Beautiful couple, and a beautiful scenery to match. You had a great couple who seemed to be so natural in front of the camera.

Keep 'em coming. :eusa_clap:

PS- When I went to your blog address to watch the video, after I clicked and was watching, the text from the blog page was over the right side of the video viewing area.

[JC/DV]

Hey Rick, I'm at my Dads office and can't play it loud, but will watch again when I get back home. From what I saw, I liked the editing very much. You could pull the levels out a bit and do some minor color correcting and it will pop out much more. I wasn't a fan of the rose petals, because they are fake, but I'm sure they'll love it. I'll comment again when I can view on my PC (it just hit me that this monitor may not be showing levels properly.)

Thanks for sharing!